adolescent
Between child, grownup
Adolescent describes the period between childhood and adulthood, roughly the teenage years.
As a noun, an adolescent is a person in this stage: The clinic treats adolescents ages 12 to 18.
The adjective often carries connotations of immaturity or awkwardness: adolescent behavior, adolescent insecurities.
Used dismissively, it suggests someone acting younger than their years: His adolescent jokes weren't funny.
Sexual development stage
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- hormonesBloodstream signaling molecules
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- estrogenFemale reproductive hormone
menstruation · acne · endocrine · pituitary
Immature in manner
- naiveInnocently unsuspecting
- juvenileYoung person or animal
- callowYouthfully naive and untested
- inexperiencedLacking practical knowledge
unsophisticated · gullible · puerile · impulsive · reckless · shortsighted · underdeveloped · fledgling
Youth becoming adulthood
- promHigh school formal dance
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- quinceañeraFifteenth birthday celebration
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
Uncomfortably aware of oneself
- gawkyAwkwardly tall and clumsy
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- insecureLacking self-assurance
- embarrassedSelf-consciously uncomfortable
blushing · shy · lanky · gangly · nervous · uncomfortable · timid · bashful
Learning one's true character
- individualityUnique personal character
- self-expressionConveying one's inner world
- self-conceptOne's own identity perception
- self-esteemOne's sense of worth
autonomy · values · aspirations · introspection · self-awareness · personality · influences · uniqueness
Student assignments for outside class
- examsFormal academic tests
- classroomEducational instruction space
- studentOne formally enrolled somewhere
- tutoringIndividual academic guidance
curriculum · grades · extracurricular · study · diploma · graduation · scholarship · detention
Open resistance to authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- nonconformityRejection of prevailing norms
- backtalkInsolent verbal response
- rule-breakingDisregarding established standards
counterculture · resistance · attitude · moodiness · door-slamming · eye-rolling · arguing · grounding
puberty
Sexual development stage
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- hormonesBloodstream signaling molecules
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
estrogen · menstruation · acne · endocrine · pituitary
childish
Immature in manner
inexperienced · unsophisticated · gullible · puerile · impulsive · reckless · shortsighted · underdeveloped · fledgling · green
coming-of-age
Youth becoming adulthood
- promHigh school formal dance
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- quinceañeraFifteenth birthday celebration
self-conscious
Uncomfortably aware of oneself
embarrassed · blushing · shy · lanky · gangly · nervous · uncomfortable · timid · bashful · uneasy
self-discovery
Learning one's true character
- individualityUnique personal character
- self-expressionConveying one's inner world
- self-conceptOne's own identity perception
self-esteem · autonomy · values · aspirations · introspection · self-awareness · personality · influences · uniqueness · traits
homework
Student assignments for outside class
- examsFormal academic tests
- classroomEducational instruction space
- studentOne formally enrolled somewhere
tutoring · curriculum · grades · extracurricular · study · diploma · graduation · scholarship · detention · lockers
defiance
Open resistance to authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- nonconformityRejection of prevailing norms
- backtalkInsolent verbal response
rule-breaking · counterculture · resistance · attitude · moodiness · door-slamming · eye-rolling · arguing · grounding · punishment
sneakers
Casual athletic footwear
- backpacksBags carried on shoulders
- yearbookSchool memory publication
- slangInformal in-group vocabulary
trends · music · fashion · gaming · influencers · fandoms · posters · bedroom · mall · hangouts
popularity
Mass public favor
- cliquesExclusive social groups
- friendshipsVoluntary affectionate relationships
- datingPursuing romantic connections
crushes · bullying · gossip · drama · hangouts · texting · Instagram · TikTok · Snapchat · selfies
adolescentmature
Fully grown or developed
adult · sophisticated · grown-up · full-fledged · worldly
- early adolescenceAges roughly eleven-fourteen
- adolescent brainImmature neurological organ
- adolescent behaviorActions typical of teenagers
- adolescent developmentTeen years' growth process
- adolescent depressionMental illness in teenagers
- adolescent mental healthPsychological state of teenagers
adolescence, adolescents, preadolescent, preadolescence, preadolescents, adolescences, postadolescence